San Diego’s Pink Army

Pink Army began as a trio of Tween girls in 2008 — Charisma Kain, Alicia Randolph, and Lia Johnson. The group is modeled after Disney Channel/Nickelodeon stars such as Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez. “Our music is electro-pop, with a little R&B that’s easy to dance to,” says Kain.

In early 2011, Lia Johnson was replaced by Maddie Simpson, a veteran of the Old Globe Theatre’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Says the band’s management, “Lia chose to go with her acting passion, since she could not do both with the pressures of the band.”

To date, the group — the current members all 13 — has performed over 100 shows. They recently signed an endorsement deal with Daisy Rock Guitars, and they’re recording an album with L.A.–based producer and cowriter Eddie Galan (Hannah Montana, High School Musical).

Pink Army appears on Sunday, August 7, at the Lemon Festival street fair in Chula Vista.

WHAT’S IN YOUR MUSIC PLAYER?

Charisma Kain: “Bruno Mars, Doo-Wops & Hooligans. I love the beats to all the songs, and some of my all-time favorites like ‘Just the Way You Are’ are from that CD.”

Maddie Simpson: “Lady Gaga, Born This Way. All the songs have a message that people can relate to.”

Alicia Randolph: “Justin Bieber, My World 2.0. I like the style of music that is easy to dance to, with catchy songs.”

WORST ONSTAGE SCREWUP?

Kain: “When I was seven, I was cast to do the Wizard of Oz at Starlight Theater, where I played a Munchkin. In one scene, I was doing back handsprings across the stage, and I crashed into someone and fell. I didn’t get hurt, but it did throw off my performance.”

FAVORITE CONCERT?

Kain: “My parents have only let me go to one big concert, and it was to see Paramore. I went with Alicia, and it was so much fun!”

Simpson: “The Glee Live concert. It was amazing, plus I love the TV show.”

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME SOMEONE YELLED AT YOU?

Kain: “About two weeks ago in P.E. at school, for sitting on the golf cart that the supervisor rides around in. I wasn’t gonna drive it; I just wanted to sit on it, ’cause running fitness laps is tiring.”

Comments

Outtakes: BEST BAND NAME EVER?
Simpson: “I like how the Beatles got their name. I read about how there were so many bugs where they were staying, so they called themselves the Beatles. Pretty cool.”

ANY FEARS OR PHOBIAS?
Kain: “I’m afraid of being stung by bees and wasps. I’ll never forget the time we did a show at Magic Mountain during the summer, and a bee kept on following me and landed on me. I was so freaked out! There’s even some [video] footage of this, where it shows me running around the stage trying to get away from the bee. How embarrassing.”
Simpson: “I’m afraid of getting sick, even though I don’t get sick very often.”
Alicia Randolph: “Any insect creeps me out.”

BIGGEST LIE YOU EVER TOLD?
Kain: “When I was in fourth grade, I got a bad test score in math, so I never told my parents. But they eventually found out.”
Simpson: “At school, I was told not to go into a classroom to wait for my friend after school. I went anyway and lied to my friend, saying I was allowed. I got caught, and lost my friend’s trust.”

WHO IN YOUR FAMILY DO YOU TAKE AFTER?
Kain: “My dad, because he used to be in a band and loves music.”
Simpson: “I take after my dad in the area of sports. He used to be a professional athlete.”
Randolph: “I most take after my grandma Alice. She has so much energy that I forget she’s her age.”

IDEAL VACATION?
Kain: “I like to go camping with my family and dogs.”
Simpson: “I love New York, because there’s so much to do”
Randolph: “I love Hawaii. I’m going on my second trip there this summer.”

TWO MORE THINGS WE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
Kain:
1. “I can do several back flips in a row. I did gymnastics from the age of four to seven, and I love to tumble.”
2. “I haven’t had formal piano training, but I can listen to songs and then go to my keyboard and figure out how to play them.”
Simpson:
1. “I love all sports, especially volleyball, tennis, and soccer.”
2. “I love milkshakes.”
Randolph:
1. “I’m a vegetarian.”
2. “I’m a straight-A student and skipped first grade.”